The first time a parent lays eyes on their child is through a sonogram. Prenatal services are a good first step to ensure your child's health. You can find a local OB/GYN through your insurance network. For those who are uninsured, the health department is a good place to begin. For Maryland residents, to find your local health department go to this website and navigate the page that addresses your specific needs: http://dhmh.maryland.gov/SitePages/Home.aspx
Sometimes during your pregnancy, medical issues with your unborn child could arise. If that happens to you, a referral might be made to a perinatologists. Perinatologists are highly trained doctors who work with women experiencing a high risk pregnancy. Here is a link to the maternal and fetal medicine department at Johns Hopkins Hospital and they have several perinatologists on staff. http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/gynecology_obstetrics/specialty_areas/obstetrics_services/services/maternal_fetal_medicine_high_risk_pregnancies/perinatologists.html
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It is important to follow prenatal directions for your unborn child and prepare for where you will deliver your baby. For most, this is the local hospital that your OB/GYN is affiliated with Once your baby is born, he or she will be given a series of tests. These include several newborn screening tests to make sure there are no genetic disorders or metabolic disorders that could cause problems. Here is a link for more information on newborn screening tests. http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/medical/newborn_screening_tests.html
Your newborn will also be given a hearing test. This is important when later evaluating a child for autism. Hearing exams may be repeated to make sure that this is not an issue related to speech problems or other behaviors. When my child was evaluated for autism, a medical evaluation with lab work for metabolic disorders and a hearing test was initiated first to make sure my child was not experiencing a medical problem that could have similar symptoms to autism. Here is a link about hearing tests. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/836646-overview
Another decision for a parent(s) is to talk about vaccinations. There is a lot of information available on the benefits and risks of vaccinations. Here is a link from the Mayo Clinic that might be helpful in learning more about vaccinations. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vaccines/CC00014
If your pediatrician or another professional or you have a concern about autism or another developmental disability, seek assistance and help. You can make a referral yourself by contacting your local infants and toddlers program. In Maryland, this is operated through the public school system and it is a free program through the federal government that entitles you to receive free services for your child starting from birth through age 21. Here is a link that explains more and the federal legislation for this is titled The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). http://idea.ed.gov/
The first time a parent lays eyes on their child is through a sonogram. Prenatal services are a good first step to ensure your child's health. You can find a local OB/GYN through your insurance network. For those who are uninsured, the health department is a good place to begin. For Maryland residents, to find your local health department go to this website and navigate the page that addresses your specific needs:
http://dhmh.maryland.gov/SitePages/Home.aspx
For Howard County, Maryland residents, the local health department is
http://www.co.ho.md.us/departments.aspx?id=290
Sometimes during your pregnancy, medical issues with your unborn child could arise. If that happens to you, a referral might be made to a perinatologists. Perinatologists are highly trained doctors who work with women experiencing a high risk pregnancy. Here is a link to the maternal and fetal medicine department at Johns Hopkins Hospital and they have several perinatologists on staff.
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/gynecology_obstetrics/specialty_areas/obstetrics_services/services/maternal_fetal_medicine_high_risk_pregnancies/perinatologists.html
.
It is important to follow prenatal directions for your unborn child and prepare for where you will deliver your baby. For most, this is the local hospital that your OB/GYN is affiliated with Once your baby is born, he or she will be given a series of tests. These include several newborn screening tests to make sure there are no genetic disorders or metabolic disorders that could cause problems. Here is a link for more information on newborn screening tests.
http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/medical/newborn_screening_tests.html
Your newborn will also be given a hearing test. This is important when later evaluating a child for autism. Hearing exams may be repeated to make sure that this is not an issue related to speech problems or other behaviors. When my child was evaluated for autism, a medical evaluation with lab work for metabolic disorders and a hearing test was initiated first to make sure my child was not experiencing a medical problem that could have similar symptoms to autism. Here is a link about hearing tests.
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/836646-overview
Another decision for a parent(s) is to talk about vaccinations. There is a lot of information available on the benefits and risks of vaccinations. Here is a link from the Mayo Clinic that might be helpful in learning more about vaccinations.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vaccines/CC00014
If your pediatrician or another professional or you have a concern about autism or another developmental disability, seek assistance and help. You can make a referral yourself by contacting your local infants and toddlers program. In Maryland, this is operated through the public school system and it is a free program through the federal government that entitles you to receive free services for your child starting from birth through age 21. Here is a link that explains more and the federal legislation for this is titled The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA).
http://idea.ed.gov/
For Maryland residents, you can contact your local infant and toddlers program through this link:
http://marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/divisions/earlyinterv/infant_toddlers/directories/local_program.htm